research

INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT

FIELD STUDIES

lab studies

method & theory development

Particle Source Profiling and Apportionment

In the laboratory we produce sources of primary aerosol (direct emission) and secondary aerosol (formed from gas-to-particle conversion) using the emissions/combustion chamber and PAM photochemical reaction chamber, and detect those emissions using our high frequency measurement techniques (e.g., TAG-AMS, VAPS, PTRMS, MC-TDMA, optical measurements, etc.) (see INSTRUMENTATION page). Many primary chemical source profiles have been developed for common particle emission sources (e.g., vehicle exhaust, biomass burning). We intend to extend upon those chemical profiles and include many new source types, as well as develop secondary aerosol source profiles.

These new chemical profiles will be used to identify the major contributing sources of ambient particulate matter (where our main focus is on the organic fraction) for both indoor and outdoor environments.

Biomass and Solid Fuel Combustion

In an attempt to meet new goals for renewable energy production, bioimass is now being utilized in novel ways (e.g., co-firing with coal, pyrolysis gasification). Additionally, much effort is being made on improved coal combustion efficiency such as recycled flue-gas and oxy-coal combustion. We currently have several projects to determine primary organic particle formation mechanisms from various methods of oxy-coal combustion, coal-biomass co-firing, and pyrolysis, as well as determining the potential for secondary organic particle formation once released in the atmosphere.

We are also working to understand the chemical composition of primary and secondary aerosol from biomass burning (over a range of biomass fuel types) to characterize wildfire emissions and cookstove emissions. Here we utilize our emissions/combustion chamber and PAM photoreactor to produce primary and secondary biomass burning aerosol and detect those emissions using our novel instrumentation.

INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT

We are currently developing the TAG-AMS and VAPS systems in collaboration with Aerodyne Research Inc TAG-AMS development includes laboratory and field testing as well as software development (mostly for post data acquisition processing and analysis). VAPS development includes material testing to maximize mass transfer, integrated system development, and software development. We have also recently created a multi-channel tandem differential mobility analyzer (MC-TDMA) to provide particle size distributions, hygroscopicity, volatility, and more. All systems mentioned here are undergoing extensive laboratory and field testing. You can read more about these instruments under the INSTRUMENTATION tab on our website.

Georgia Tech Lab and Field Studies (Summer/Fall 2017)

Photo by Ben Sumlin

Tyson Research Center Controlled Fires (Winter/Spring 2017)

Lab Fire Study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arV4-vi0gdo&feature=youtu.be

ACRONIM

SLAQRS

SOAS

Current Funded Projects

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Indoor exposure to pollutants associated with oxidative chemistry: field studies and window‐opening behavior